Water is a life necessity. The sound of the calm waves of the sea has a calming effect. Don’t you agree? Even if water in itself can be a great benefit for life, it can also take life. You don’t want to be in the sea when the waves are roaring, and throwing you from place to place. In this article, you’ll learn how to turn instability to stability in life.
Taken by the Waves
Long time ago, I was enjoying my time in the waves of the sea, at a hot place. I was following the speed of waves. Suddenly, a great wave took control over me, pulled me down in the water. I was no long in control. After a struggle there under water, I was able to get up.
A sad fact about this natural phenomenon is this: Water is unstable.
No Fixed Principles
Perhaps you know someone who is unstable as water. Someone who have no fixed principles. It is hard for these people to resist temptation. Reuben was such a person. Before his dad, Jacob (or Israel) died, Jacob gathered his sons, including Reuben, and said:
“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength,
The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—He went up to my couch.” (Genesis 49:3-4)
Reuben was unstable as water, lacking fixed principles. He was the firstborn of Israel. He was chosen. But he was not living up to his name and calling. Unfortunately, there are many Reubens today who are unstable as water. They have trusted in their own strength. They may have been praised and exalted when their feet were standing in sliding sand. They are, like Reuben, unstable as water, with no inward integrity. They will never excel in this state.
God’s Grace is Sufficient – say no to immorality
God has a word for people like this: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9) Isn’t that a wonderful promise?! Our great need is to depend on God. We need a firm heart.
If you struggle with this, Jesus is calling you to show strength of character where you are. And He has also promised to provide for that. Through Jesus you can say: “No, I will not do this great wickedness, and sin against God.” You can say like David: ”I will put no wicked things before my eyes.” With Jesus’ help you can say no to all that is morally wrong. The problem of saying yes once, is that you take the risk of drifting away like unstable water.
Be surrounded by good friends, that have firm principles and a good influence, that can help strengthen your moral power – Friends who point to God and the Bible. If you instead choose to be surrounded by bad influences, you will soon realize that you have no real hold from God. You will drift away like the waves of the sea, not knowing where you will end up.
Influence Matters – Choose your Master
When you do not say a decided no to any suggestion that will hurt your moral and religious influence, in the sight of God and of man, you are on dangerous ground. By saying yes to immorality, we are saying no to the Spirit of God, and yes to satan.
The Bible says that we can only serve one master. Not two. Not three. Is Jesus our master? Is He our Lord? Is He number one in your life? If he is not number one in our lives, he is not our Lord. Let me say that again: If God is not number one in our lives, He is not our Lord. If He is not our Lord, He is not our Savior. Seek Him, while He still may be found.
If you are invited to take a glass of alcohol, say a firm no.
If you are invited to watch immorality with friends, say a firm no.
If you are invited to listen to immorality, say a firm no.
If you are invited to take part in immoral activities, say a firm no.
Jesus offers us Stable Water
Joseph, the brother of Reuben, was not unstable as water. He was a man with integrity. When he was invited by a woman into immorality, what did he say? “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” He said a clear no, every time. Why? His life was depending on God. He had firmness of character, rooted in faith.
What we need is stable water.
Is there such a thing as stable water, you might ask?
Yes, there is. Jesus said: “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14) Jesus is the only provider of stable water.
He is inviting you today: ”Come and drink!. Come and drink of this water that I am offering you!”
Will you say yes to Him today?
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